§ 73. Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked whether correspondence with relatives is allowed to political prisoners now interned in Great Britain and Ireland; are they allowed books and newspapers; do they take exercise in each other's company, and are they allowed conversation and intercourse; is he aware that these rights were allowed untried prisoners under the coercion regime of 1881–2, as well as six hours' exercise in the open air, with smoking; and will the same be allowed to untried political prisoners now?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe answer to the first three parts of the question has already, I think, been given in previous replies. 2694 It is not necessary to make comparison with the precedent of 1881–2, as I understand that all the privileges, or nearly all of them, which my hon. Friend desires are already accorded to the prisoners.
§ Mr. O'CONNORHow many hours' exercise do they get? Do they get six hours, as was given in 1881 and 1882?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt depends upon the facilities which are possible. In some cases where there are soldiers already occupying part of the detention barracks it is not possible to give the exercise which the authorities would wish, and which is given in other cases.
§ Mr. O'CONNORAre they allowed to talk to each other?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes.
§ Mr. FLAVINWhy do the German interned prisoners in this country get greater freedom and facilities and enjoy more pleasure and more fresh air than the Irish prisoners do?
§ Mr. TENNANTI very much doubt that.
Mr. NUGENTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that two boys of fourteen and fifteen years of age are at present detained, and is there any precedent for boys of that age being taken to prison?
§ Mr. TENNANTNot that I know of.
§ 78 Mr. DORISasked whether the Irish prisoners at Wandsworth Military Detention Barracks have yet been permitted to smoke; and, if not, why this right, conceded to Irish prisoners in all other detention barracks, has been withheld from them?
§ Mr. TENNANTI would refer my hon. Friend to what was said yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Samuel)I hope to be able to remove all these prisoners before very long.